Chapter Three: Count On Me
I know that life ain't always good to you.
I've seen exactly what it's put you through
Thrown you around and turned you upside down and so you
You got to thinking there was no way out
You started sinking and it pulled you down
It may be tough you've to get back up
Because you know that life ain't over yet
I'm here for you so don't forget
You can count on me
Cause' I will carry you till you
Carry on
"I agree," my dad said.
"You do?" I asked him. I was surprised, I thought they would yell and scream.
"Emma, you are eighteen now, and we can't stop you from doing what you want. But we won't be able to pay for anything," my mom said.
"I know," I said. "I'll manage."
"We'll still help with Danica. We can watch her on the weekends if you have to work. If you have a proper job. When are you going to start looking?" Dad asked me.
"I guess I'll ask Craig if he wants to help," I said.
"Craig? Why him?" Mom asked.
"Oh…I haven't told you guys. I guess since everyone else knows, you might as well too. He's Dani's father," I confessed. They both stared at me, silent.
"Does…Joey know?" my dad asked.
"I don't know. I don't think so. But don't tell him okay? I guess Craig and I have to figure this out on our own," I told them.
"We understand and we won't say anything. But you better be ready to tell him soon. I'm sure he'll find out," Dad said.
"Are you two going to get together?" Mom asked.
"No Mom, we're not. I'm in love with Oliver. I'm not in love with Craig. What we did was a mistake. We were caught up in the moment, and besides, he's in love with Manny. I have to make things right with her. She broke up with him and now he's devastated," I explained.
"Just let us know if you need any help," my mom said. She started to cry.
"Mom, don't cry. I'll still see you all the time," I protested. Just then, a car horn beeped outside.
"That's him," I said, standing up and heading for the door. I went outside and walked over to the blue pickup truck with Craig sitting in it.
"So what's this all about?" he asked. He looked a little annoyed, but eager at the same time. My guess was that he wanted to help Danica, but not me.
"I'm moving," I announced. "And I need your help."
"What? Where are you moving to? How am I going to see my daughter?" he asked frantically.
"Craig, chill out. It's not that far away. I'm moving into Oliver's apartment. I'm going to get everything ready for him for when he comes home," I told him.
"Oh. Okay then, let's get started. I can't take all day with this, I'm going to Manny's tonight to try and talk to her," he said.
"Don't worry; it won't take that long," I said, glaring in his direction.
"Is Danica coming with us?" he asked hopefully.
"No, my parents are going to watch her. We have a lot to do in a short amount of time, and she won't want to sit in the playpen while we move," I explained. His face fell and he got all upset.
"Oh," he said, looking at the ground.
"I can always ask my dad to help me if you want to spend some time with Dani. We'd have to take the truck though," I offered.
"Nah, that's okay. Joey wouldn't be too happy. And I did promise that I'd help. Sorry that I'm being a jerk. I know you're going through a lot."
"Thanks Craig." I smiled at him. "I guess we better get started though huh?" I asked him. "Don't worry; I don't really have that much stuff to bring." Craig followed me into the house, said hi to my parents, and held Danica for a minute. Then we headed down into my room. I took one more look around at everything, sighed, and shoved my hands in my pockets.
"So, what's going?" Craig asked, looking at the boxes on the floor.
"Well, my clothes are all in those boxes, along with Danica's toys and clothes. Um, my vanity is going, the changing table, and her crib. Dad helped me take those apart last night. The bed is staying, so is the dresser. And the microwave and mini fridge can stay too. I guess that covers it.
"That seems easy enough," he replied. I helped him pile three boxes up and watched him carry them up the stairs. Then I grabbed two and followed him. When we came back down, there were four more boxes to bring up, then the parts to the crib and changing table. Finally, I ran back down and grabbed my bag with makeup, shampoo, hair brushes, toothbrushes, and everything else I needed to get ready in the morning. Craig ran back down for my pillow and a few of my favorite blankets. I went back down and sat on my bed for the last time. My parents came and looked sadly around the room.
"Don't worry; I'll see you every day. I just won't be sleeping here," I said, hugging both of them. My mom was crying and my dad was trying not to. Danica smiled at me. I kissed her on the cheek.
"The house will feel so empty without you," Dad said, hugging me again.
"Emma. You don't have to leave do you?" my mom cried.
"Mom, don't worry. And you guys still have Jack!" Upon hearing his name, Jack came running down the stairs from the kitchen.
"Where are you going Emma?" he asked.
"I'm moving Jack. But don't worry. You can get Mom and Dad to bring you to visit me," I told him, giving him a hug. I kissed him on the cheek and stood up. "Bye guys," I said. "I'll come back for my car and Danica as soon as we've got everything fixed. Then we'll probably go to the hospital." I followed my family upstairs, closing the door behind me for the last time.
Mom, Dad, and Jack stood in the doorway, waving while I got into the truck. I waved to them and turned around, ready to get to the apartment. It only took a few minutes to get there. I saw Oliver's car, sitting in its space. I forced myself not to cry. Craig and I both got a few boxes and went upstairs to the apartment. I unlocked the door and we walked into the living room. The place was spotless. Of course it was; no one was living there. Well, for the time being. I set the boxes down in the living room and we went down for more.
It only took us about ten minutes to get everything up to the apartment. I plopped down on the couch, taking a little break. Craig sat down next to me and looked around.
"It's a nice place," he commented.
"Thanks. But it's not the same without him," I sighed, feeling the tears start to come.
"Emma, it's going to be okay. He'll be fine," Craig told me.
"You don't know that for sure!" I cried. Of course I wanted Oliver to be fine, but I knew that it might not happen. I didn't want to get my hopes up. It had been eight days, and there was no sign of anything happening. "I don't know what I'd ever do if I lost him. I really love him Craig," I said, tears beginning to soak my shirt. Craig put his arm around me and pulled me closer to him.
"Try not to think about it for now," he said. "Whatever you need, I'm here for you. I know what it feels like to lose someone you love, and if that happens, I'll be there too. You can count on me Emma," he said. I had almost forgotten that Craig lost both of his parents.
"Thanks Craig," I told him. I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. I had forgotten what it felt like to have a genuine friend.
Anytime you need someone
Somebody strong to lean on
Well you can count on me
To hold you till the healing is done
And every time you fall apart
Well you can hide here in my arms
And you can count on me
To hold you till that feeling is gone
Craig
Emma fell asleep, so I figured I would move the stuff around. She needed a break anyway. I never though until now how hard all of this has been for her. I was shocked when I found out about my daughter, but I didn't have to have the baby. I didn't move away because I was afraid to lose my friends. Emma had to have Danica so far away from her friends and family.
She did find Oliver, and I'm happy for her. I hope he is okay. I don't know what she would do if he didn't pull through. I looked back at her, sleeping sitting up. She really was beautiful. I could see why I had sex with her in the first place. But it was wrong. I was upset over Ashley and it made me mad to see her hurting over Jay. We made a mistake, but I know that this much is true: it was the best mistake I ever made. I got the most beautiful daughter in the world. Now I just need to spend more time with her.
Don't get me wrong, I am still completely in love with Manny. Hopefully I can get her to forgive me. I didn't know about Danica until after Manny found out. And she and I weren't together when it happened. I know it has to be hard for her too though. I have a baby with her best friend, and she never got to have her baby that we had together. I still mourn for the loss of my first child. I never got to find out if it was a boy or a girl.
I walked back over to Emma and lay her down, putting one of the couch pillows under her head. Then I got one of her blankets and covered her with it. I wiped a few stray tears off of her face before getting to work.
It took me three hours, but I did it. I looked at my work and smiled. It felt good to do something for my daughter and her mother. I put the crib together, then the changing table. After that, I put all of her clothes in the dresser and her dresses in the closet. Then I arranged the toys and books on the shelves and in the little toy box that I guess Oliver bought. I imagined Danica sleeping in her crib. Then I imagined me and Emma putting her to bed. Shaking my head, I got that out of my system. Emma and I were never going to be together. I just wanted to have a happy little family. Hopefully I can still have that with Manny.
I heard a noise and looked up. Emma was standing in the doorway, smiling.
"It looks great," she said. She walked over to me and hugged me. "Do you want to go get her now?" she asked me. I nodded my head. "Thanks Craig," she said.
"You're welcome. Don't forget, I'll be here for you," I told her and smiled.
"I won't."
Because you know that life ain't over yet
I'm here for you so don't forget
You can count on me
Cause' I will carry you till you carry on
Anytime you need someone
Somebody strong to lean on
Well you can count on me to hold you till the healing is done
And every time you fall apart you can hide here in my arms
And you can count on me to hold you till that feeling is
Gone so you can live today
Seems so long to yesterday
Keep on counting on me to carry you till you carry on
Carry on
A/N: The song is "Count On Me" by Default and they own it. This was Sunday, September 29th. Just warning you guys: don't be thinking that Craig is going to fall in love with Emma, or vice versa, because it's not going to happen! Sorry…I just wanted them to not be like hating on each other anymore. Sadly, I have no more chapters written, so I won't be able to update whenever I want. And I have a lot of not so good things going on right now, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next. So bear with me if I take a long time.
Qtpye: No need to feel weird lol. A lot of people thought he was dead. I obviously can't tell you why Sean is back…it'll be revealed later, though I don't know when.
xXxXxXxXJemmaFanxXxXxXxX: You were right, Emma was moving out! And I'm glad you like Oliver now. I really like him a lot…he's like what I'd want my boyfriend to be like.
Suzzy20: Thanks for the long review, I like them better. As you know now, Emma moved into Oliver's apartment.
kisstherain205: Yes, you type the stories on Microsoft Word, and then you sign into the website, go under documents, and upload the chapters from there. You have to create the story under 'stories,' selecting categories and a title for it. Let me know if you need any help.
Thanks everyone for your reviews. They keep me going!